1. Las Vegas was officially incorporated as a city on February 18, 1911. Prior to that, it was a small railroad town in the middle of the desert.

2. On February 18, 1931, the Nevada State Legislature passed a bill legalizing gambling. This decision would transform Nevada into the gambling capital of the United States.

3. The Hoover Dam, one of the largest dams in the world, began construction on February 18, 1931. It took five years to build and was completed in 1936.

4. On February 18, 1983, a massive fire destroyed the Las Vegas Hilton hotel. The fire started in the casino and quickly spread throughout the building, causing $50 million in damages.

5. February 18 is also the birthday of former Nevada Governor and Senator Richard Bryan. He served as Governor from 1983 to 1989, and as Senator from 1989 to 2001.